SO YOU WANT TO RUN FOR CITY COUNCIL?
Join US for a workshop designed to demystify the process of entering local politics!
WHEN: Thursday, May 7, 2026 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm
WHERE: Gavilan College Gilroy Campus at 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., Gilroy, CA 95020. (More details shared after RSVP.)
WHAT: Faculty from the Gavilan College Political Science Department will share the ins and outs of running for (and holding) political office, specifically at the local government level. The discussion will focus on what it takes to become a city councilmember, including examples of how a city council should work as a governing body, how a city council can work with the community to accomplish goals, and how a city council can best support city staff after getting elected - including how to work with city officials in departments like police, fire, planning, building, parks, recreation, and finance.
Guest speakers to include current/former elected officials.
COST: Free
RSVP to Attend:
The event is free to attend. Please RSVP to reserve your spot due to limited seating.
EVENT HOSTED BY:
Casey J. Estorga
Casey has been teaching Political Science at Gavilan College since 2018. His courses focus on American Government and Politics, including with an emphasis on government institutions and analyzing how the fundamental role of government is not simply considered in theory, but how those principles work in practice.
Casey also has decorated career working as an executive in government agencies throughout the Bay Area and Central Coast. Casey has held positions of City Manager, Finance Director, and Human Resources Director and has also served as the chief negotiator during labor negotiations. Casey also served on the board of a regional municipal insurance JPA, including serving as Risk Manager for multiple municipal governments. Casey also advised the State of California on fiscal policy, funding, and regulations for statewide human services programs.
Casey is a former Planning Commissioner and has severed on a variety of local government and community committees, including on a advisory committee for California’s High Speed Rail.
Casey is a graduate of Stanford University’s Local Governance Summer Institute, where he led a cohort tasked with improving public administrators’ ability to innovate and enhance societal change, including specifically on issues of national significance.
Marc Turetzky, Ph.D.
Dr. Turetzky has been the core of Gavilan College’s Political Science Department for the past 25 years. He has a Ph.D. in Political Science from the Florida State University, focusing his research on American Government and World Politics. Dr. Turetzky teaches courses covering the following topics: American Government, Comparative Politics, Conflict Resolution, Political Thought, International Relations, and American Foreign Policy.
Many of the region’s leaders in government have been directly influenced by Dr. Turetzky, including with an impressive collection of Bay Area and Central Coast elected officials calling him a friend.
Dr. Turetzky is a no-nonsense political scientist and tells the truth about government and politics - even if it hurts your feelings.
GUEST SPEAKERS:
Details coming soon…